ANGUS TAYLOR

Angus van Zyl Taylor was born in 1970 in a hospital in Hillbrow to a journalist father and a mother trained in painting. He grew up in the Vaal Triangle, Gauteng, South Africa.

After school Angus travelled around South Africa, went to the army and studied fine Arts at the University of Pretoria and graduated with honours in 1997.

In 1994 he won the P.P.C. National Young Sculptor Award.

After tutoring in drawing and Sculpture he started his own business in 1995.

He took part in many group exhibitions as well as a solo exhibition in 1999 "Africana and other baggage".

In 1998 he started a company called D.S.W. (Dionysus Sculpture Works) and have since completed numerous commissions for the Government, Councils, the C.S.I.R. and more recently, global resorts.

Education
BA Fine Arts Degree – University of Pretoria

Employment
1994 – 1995 Tutor at University of Pretoria – Fine art drawing & Sculpture
1996 – 1997 Ashanti Art Foundry - Manager
1997 – Current, Self-employed – Dionysus Sculpture Works
Part Time Lecturer - Pretoria Technikon, University of Pretoria and The Open Window

Awards
1994 Best Sculpture Student (UP)
1994 1st Prize – PPC Young Sculpture Award

Exhibitions
1994 – 2000 Numerous Group exhibitions
1999 Solo Exhibition – ‘Africana & Other Baggage’ – The Open Window Contemporary Gallery (Pretoria)
2000 ‘Africana & Other Baggage’ – Gallery 88 (Sasolburg) 2002
Group Exhibition – National Arts Association (Curated by Dian Victor)
WAM Exhibition – (Salolburg)
Group Exhibition – ‘A show of Angels’ – The Open Window Contemporary Gallery (Pretoria)
2003
Group Exhibition – ‘Dawid’s Choice’ – Dorp Straat Gallery (Stellenbosch)
Group Exhibition – Opening Exhibition. New ‘Bronze Age’ Sculpture House (Simon Stad)
Group Exhibition – St. Valentine’s Exhibition – Mind’s-I’ (Pretoria)

Articles
Anon. 1994. Free to be enterprising. Pretoria News, Oct.
Anon. 1994. Beyond the realm of art. Pretoria News, Oct.
Frohling, Geraldine. 1999. Unusual background nurtures talented artist. Pretoria News, Oct. 12.
Philips, Franci. 1999. A different angle on history. Pretoria News, Oct. 19.
Colson, Michael. 1999. Arts & Leisure. Financial Mail, Oct, 15.
Du Preez, Amanda. 1999. Boere-bagasie verbeeld. Beeld, Oct. 26.
Vermeulen, Elsje. 1999. “Weird” Taylor beskou as ‘n tweede van Wouw. Vaalweekblad, Feb. 9.
Rayn, Myrtle. 2000. Giant David gets SA perspective. Sunday Tribune, Aug. 27.
Funke, Nikki. 2000. Size does matter. Perdeby, Aug. 28.
Snyman, Dana. 2001. Dawid se Moses. Huisgenoot. Feb. 8.

“X-Chromosome” 2004 Cast Cement, Fondu Concrete & Cast Aluminium This sculpture of a calm and composed yet internally strong female communicates in simple metaphors. With the star of Venus on her chest and her hands that creates an upside down triangle (the pagan symbol for female), she refers to ancient goddesses. She still remains difficult to place in time. The use of contemporary materials and her awareness of self false away from old world to a different dimension. Although I made her with these intentions in mind, as a maquette for a 2,5m sculpture in Tulbach, I hope she remains open enough to be interpreted by the viewer with personal association. - Angus Taylor.